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Towards a Theology of Mission and Evangelization in Kenya in a Post-Colonial Context: Challenges and Opportunities

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Towards a Theology of Mission and Evangelization in Kenya in a Post-Colonial Context: Challenges and Opportunities Towards a Theology of Mission and Evangelization in Kenya in a Post-Colonial Context: Challenges and Opportunities by Nicholas Obiero A Thesis submitted to the Faculty of St. Michael’s College and the Pastoral Theology Department of the Toronto School of Theology in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Theology awarded by the University of St. Michael’s College © Copyright by Nicholas Obiero 2017 Towards a Theology of Mission and Evangelization in Kenya in a Post-Colonial Context: Challenges and Opportunities Nicholas Obiero Doctor of Philosophy in Theology University of St. Michael’s College 2017 Abstract This thesis is an attempt to understand the challenges and opportunities for a theology of mission and evangelization in Kenya in the post-colonial context. It begins by looking at the meaning and understanding of evangelization, and sheds some light on the paradigm shifts in mission and evangelization especially as it pertains to Kenya. It emphasizes that both David Bosch’s ecumenical paradigm shift in theology of mission and Bernard Lonergan’s shift from a classicist to an empirical notion of culture are important in directing and informing practical strategies for mission and evangelization today. It discusses some heightened tensions in theology of mission such as proclamation, dialogue and witness, and issues like inculturation and syncretism that have arisen in method and theology of mission, especially in Africa, following the Second Vatican Council. It also points out some significant challenges and opportunities to mission and evangelization in our present time. It argues that unless mission and evangelization begins to address the challenges that are confronting us today, it will continue to remain superficial and ineffective in people’s lives especially in Africa. Finally, it provides some practical insights that could be helpful to ii pastoral agents and/or any other group of persons who are involved in mission and evangelization in Kenya. iii Acknowledgments It is with deep gratitude and joyful heart that I do hereby acknowledge the support and encouragement from the many people who have helped me in this journey of knowledge. In particular, I feel greatly indebted to Professor John Dadosky, S.T.D., Ph.D., my doctoral thesis director and mentor who remained close, encouraging and helped me make this dissertation come a reality. I am also grateful to Professor Ephraim Radner, Ph.D., and Professor Darren Dias, O.P., Ph.D., who willingly agreed to read my dissertation. The same goes to Rev. Steve Dunn, C.P., Ph.D., leader of the Passionists in Canada, Rev. Edward Murphy, pastor Blessed Trinity Parish, Rev. Guenter Petricek, director St. Stephen’s Chapel, and Rev. Larry Marcille, pastor Blessed Sacrament, and Mr. and Mrs. Ron and Janet Miles. The same goes to Ms. Mary Nicol and Mrs. Dorothy Cummings who took their time to proofread my work and made some necessary comments and encouraging corrections. I do also acknowledge the help from the Passionist Community Canada and the support from my fellow students both at the University of St. Michael’s College and Regis College, with whom I shared a lot of my life, ideas and arguments. To the many Christians at Precious Blood Parish, Blessed Trinity and St. Stephen’s Chapel for their love and to all my dear friends who in one way or the other have been very helpful to me, I say, “Thank you very much.” This thesis is dedicated to St. Gemma Galgani, C.P., (1878-1903), matron of my Passionist vocation. Nicholas O. Obiero University of St. Michael College, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. iv Table of Contents List of Acronyms ..................................................................................................................... ix General Introduction ..................................................................................................................1 Chapter 1 A Paradigm Shift in the Theology of Mission and Evangelization .........................19 Introduction .......................................................................................................................19 1.1 Evangelization Defined ................................................................................................20 1.1.1 Etymology ........................................................................................................21 1.1.2 Development ....................................................................................................22 1.1.3 Mission and Evangelization .............................................................................27 1.2 Theology of mission and evangelization in the post-colonial context .........................29 1.2.1 David Bosch: The Ecumenical Paradigm Shift. ..............................................29 1.2.2 Bernard Lonergan: The Shift to an Empirical Notion of Culture ....................39 1.3 Heightened tensions in the method and theology of mission .......................................47 1.3.1 Proclamation ....................................................................................................48 1.3.2 Dialogue ...........................................................................................................51 1.3.3 Witness. ............................................................................................................53 1.4 Two major issues arising in theology of mission and evangelization, particularly in Africa, after the Second Vatican Council .............................................56 1.4.1 Inculturation .....................................................................................................59 1.4.2 Syncretism ........................................................................................................64 Conclusion ........................................................................................................................69 v Chapter 2 Changing Paradigms of Mission in the Kenyan Context ........................................70 Introduction ....................................................................................................................70 2.1 General Historical Overview ...................................................................................72 2.1.1 The Cultural milieu ......................................................................................73 2.1.2 The Religious milieu ...................................................................................74 2.1.3 The Political milieu .....................................................................................75 2.1.4 The Economic milieu ..................................................................................77 2.2 Christian mission and evangelization in Kenya ......................................................79 2.2.1 Early Christian missionary evangelization ..................................................80 2.2.1.1 Growth and Development .......................................................................81 2.2.1.2 The model of the early missionaries’ mission and evangelization .........83 2.2.2 Mission and evangelization in the post-colonial context .............................86 2.2.2.1 Emergence of a new paradigm shift .......................................................87 2.2.2.2 New Approaches to mission and evangelization ....................................93 Conclusion. ...................................................................................................................107 Chapter 3 Challenges and Opportunities to the Theology of Mission and Evangelization in Kenya .................................................................................................109 Introduction .....................................................................................................................109 3.1 Challenges to mission and evangelization .............................................................111 3.1.1 Cultural ..........................................................................................................111 3.1.2 Religious ........................................................................................................123 3.1.3 Political ..........................................................................................................129 3.1.4 Economic .......................................................................................................135 vi 3.2 Opportunities and exigencies for essential principles of mission and evangelization ...............................................................................141 3.2.1 Opportunities ..................................................................................................141 3.2.2 Exigencies ......................................................................................................147 Conclusion. .....................................................................................................................155 Chapter 4 Perimeters and Pastoral Implications for Theology of Mission and Evangelization .................................................................................................................156 Introduction .....................................................................................................................156 4.1 Seven essential principles of theology of mission and evangelization .................158 4.1.1 Healing ...........................................................................................................160
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